Ces radiol. 2016, 70(4):252-258 | DOI: 10.55095/CesRadiol2016/034

The navigation system for ultrasound: experiences from The University Hospital BrnoOriginal article

Hana Petrášová, Jakub Foukal

Radiologická klinika LF MU a FN, Brno

Aim: To evaluate the possibility of using ultrasound navigation system for certain diagnostic and interventional procedures in the abdominal area.

Method: The navigation system was used to fuse US examination and previously done CT examination in 40 patients. Overall, we performed 27 diagnostic and 13 interventional examinations. Diagnostic examinations covered localization and characterizations of focal liver lesions or kidney lesions detected on previous CT. Interventional procedures included biopsies of focal liver lesions using dedicated tracked needle.

Results: US/CT fusion was feasible in all 40 patients. Among diagnostic fused examinations of focal liver lesions, we were able to identify and determinate biological nature of 18 lesions, of total number 19. Among diagnostic fused examinations of kidney, we were able to identify and determinate biological nature of 6 lesions, of total number 8. One focal liver lesion and two kidney lesions were not possible to identify (either in native or in postcontrast fused imaging). All our 13 performed biopsies were conclusive, but there have been two cases of -negative result.

Conclusion: Ultrasound navigation systems represent a relative novelty in radiology. Real-time fusion of ultrasound imaging with other imaging modality, the most frequently CT, can be used for two main purposes. The diagnosic purpose allows precise correlation of previous CT or MR examination with ultrasound examination and also leads to better image documentation. The system allows to target ultrasound examinations in the region of interest. Correlation of both methods is more objective, the system allows to combine the advantages of two different methods in a single examination. Second possibility of use is to perform navigated interventions using special tracked instrumentation, which facilitates detection of position and direction of inserted instruments. The disadvantages of this system are high purchase price and in some cases long duration of the fusion procedure.

Keywords: fusion imaging, ultrasound, navigation

Grants and funding:

Práce vznikla v rámci projektu MUNI/A/1083/2015 Grantové agentury MU.

Accepted: December 15, 2016; Published: December 1, 2016  Show citation